Bruce Bozzi is a 21st-century Renaissance man: he spent 35 years in leadership at The Palm, the restaurant group his great-grandfather cofounded in 1926. While also caring for Ava, his teenage daughter with Hollywood-agent husband Bryan Lourd, he started a podcast, “Lunch with Bruce” — recently relaunched as “Table for Two” — to interview friends like Jennifer Aniston, Andy Cohen, and Daniel Craig.
Additionally, Bozzi has cultivated a new passion for shochu, a Japanese spirit. He was introduced to shochu by friend and fellow Angeleno socialite Sondra Baker. Their interest led them to Japan, where they explored the spirit further, ultimately inspiring the launch of their own line, Mujen, in collaboration with Junko Tsutsumi — the fourth-generation CEO of Kyushu distillery Sengetsu Shuzo and one of the few women leaders in Japan’s shochu industry.
1. Tower Bar
“This is one of the great rooms of Los Angeles: a city institution where I always run into a friend,” Bozzi says of the restaurant at the Sunset Tower Hotel. “We offer a signature Mujen cocktail called Gabé’s Witch’s Brew, named after the restaurant’s legendary maître d’, Gabé Doppelt. It’s crafted with our shochu, muddled blueberries, St.-Germain, lime, and club soda.”
2. San Vicente Bungalows
“In 2019, Sunset Tower hotelier Jeff Klein opened this private club in West Hollywood, featuring a garden-like setting, exceptional food, and its own Mujen cocktail — the SVB lemonade,” Bozzi mentions. Visitors who are not members can enjoy the atmosphere by staying at the adjacent Hotel 850 SVB.
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3. Gigi’s
“This is a beautifully designed new spot in Hollywood that’s small and unassuming, but serves exquisite food. For meat enthusiasts, it’s the best place to find rib eye steak and classic hors d’oeuvres like pigs in a blanket. I threw Mujen’s launch party there with my stepdaughter, Billie Lourd.”
4. Spago
“To me, Wolfgang Puck is the king of restaurants. I grew up visiting his establishments, including his Beverly Hills flagship, where I’ve been a regular since the 80s. Wolfgang continues to prioritize elegance and quality, serving the finest offerings of California.”
5. The Abbey
“If you’re looking to have a memorable experience at a gay bar in L.A., then The Abbey is a must-visit,” Bozzi expresses. Owner David Cooley has played a significant role in transforming the scene in West Hollywood over the past three decades. Today, it is an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome.”
A version of this story first appeared in the December 2022/January 2023 issue of iBestTravel under the headline “The Toast of Hollywood.”
